Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, Australia.
Complement Ther Med. 2013 Dec;21(6):675-81. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.08.015. Epub 2013 Aug 31.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious illness with significant morbidity. The evidence base for existing psychological and pharmacological interventions to manage anorexia nervosa is not strong, and use of new adjunctive therapies that improve the effectiveness of existing treatments, and lead to improved mental health outcomes for this patient group is highly desirable. This study investigates the views of patients with anorexia nervosa receiving an acupuncture or acupressure intervention.
A randomised controlled trial was conducted in Sydney, Australia. Twenty-six inpatients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa were randomised to a six week intervention of acupuncture or acupressure with light massage. Treatment was administered twice weekly for three weeks, then weekly for three weeks. A post treatment questionnaire was administered to explore participant views, of the study consultation. Questions examined important aspects of the clinical encounter including the, patient's perception of the practitioners' relational empathy (CARE), treatment perceptions and the, therapeutic relationship.
Participants in both groups scored highly on the CARE scale assessing empathy and the, therapeutic relationship. There was no difference in the mean CARE scores for the acupuncture group (50 (SD 0.0)) and the acupressure group (49.5 (SD 0.8)). Participants highly valued the therapeutic, encounter and in particular the characteristics of empathy, positive regard, acceptance, non, judgmental responses and trust. Having someone to talk to, being less stressed/relaxed and contact, with the study staff were also perceived to be important.
Study participants perceive the therapeutic relationship and empathy as important qualities of the acupuncture or acupressure intervention as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
神经性厌食症是一种严重的疾病，发病率很高。现有的心理和药物干预措施治疗神经性厌食症的证据基础并不强，因此非常需要使用新的辅助疗法来提高现有治疗方法的效果，并改善这类患者的心理健康结果。本研究调查了接受针灸或穴位按压干预的神经性厌食症患者的观点。
在澳大利亚悉尼进行了一项随机对照试验。26 名被诊断为神经性厌食症的住院患者被随机分配到为期六周的针灸或穴位按压加轻按摩干预组。治疗每周进行两次，持续三周，然后每周一次，持续三周。在治疗后进行问卷调查，以探讨参与者对研究咨询的看法。问题探讨了临床接触的重要方面，包括患者对从业者关系同理心（CARE）的感知、治疗看法和治疗关系。
两组参与者在评估同理心和治疗关系的 CARE 量表上的得分都很高。针灸组（50（SD 0.0））和穴位按压组（49.5（SD 0.8））的 CARE 评分平均值没有差异。参与者非常重视治疗性接触，特别是同理心、积极关注、接受、非评判性反应和信任等特征。有人可以交谈、减轻压力/放松和与研究人员接触也被认为很重要。
研究参与者认为，在治疗神经性厌食症的辅助疗法中，治疗关系和同理心是针灸或穴位按压干预的重要特质。
